Fredericton Society of St Andrew Regallia

Gift of Ivan M. Downie Presented to P/M I M Downie in appreciation for 26 years as Pipe Major, August 14 1975, Edinburgh Scotland. The Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew Pipe Band This Dirk was presented to Ivan Downie in Edinburgh Scotland, shortly after the Band had been awarded the Shield for Best Overseas Band in Grade 3 during the World Pipe Band Championships at Corby England. They were attending a competition in Grangemouth, Sterlingshire, Scotland. The dirk occupies a unique niche in Scottish culture and history. During the 18th century many Highland Scots were too cash-poor to own a sword, but almost every male carried a dirk, and carried it everywhere. Binding oaths—which if broken would result in dire supernatural conseqences—were sworn on one's dirk. Following the British Disarming Acts of 1716 and 1745, and after the Battle of Culloden, Highlanders were required to give up their arms, including their dirks. Scots who could not read or sign the disarmement...

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